Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: From On-Screen Partners to Legal Adversaries

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood often mask simmering tensions and rivalries. What once appeared to be a promising collaboration between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has devolved into a high-stakes legal battle, captivating the public and sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The fallout, documented in Fox Nation’s new special, "Blake vs. Justin: It Didn’t End With Us," reveals a complex web of accusations, counter-accusations, leaked communications, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits.

Before their fractured relationship, Lively and Baldoni were two of Hollywood’s most beloved figures. Blake Lively catapulted to stardom as Serena van der Woodsen on the CW’s hit series "Gossip Girl." Her portrayal of the stylish and charismatic socialite cemented her status as a fashion icon and a fan favorite. As pop culture expert Lauren Conlin notes in the special, "Every girl wanted to be her."

Justin Baldoni, renowned for his role as Rafael Solano in the popular series "Jane the Virgin," expanded his career into production. He took the helm of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, "It Ends with Us," starring alongside Lively. The initial excitement surrounding the project soon gave way to discord as simmering tensions came to a head during a period of significant industry upheaval.

Production on "It Ends with Us" was stalled due to the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes. According to legal documents obtained by Fox News Digital from Baldoni’s legal team, Lively and Baldoni initially enjoyed a cordial working relationship. The documents describe frequent text message exchanges and a friendly dynamic, suggesting a comfortable and productive environment. "They texted almost daily, and a friendly banter established a comfortable dynamic that, under typical circumstances, would have made working together easy," the document stated.

However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Lively presented Baldoni with a comprehensive list of demands before resuming filming. The 17-point document outlined specific stipulations, including prohibiting "spontaneous improvising" during physical scenes, banning comments about her physical appearance, and restricting discussions about personal experiences related to sex or nudity.

Criminal defense attorney Jonna Spilbor, featured in the Fox Nation special, argues that these demands suggested a deeper issue. "She really sort of put out there that there was something amiss in the workplace, that the workplace was not as safe as one would want it to be," Spilbor explained.

While Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, acquiesced to Lively’s terms and amended her contract accordingly, the underlying tensions persisted. The conflict escalated after the film’s press tour, during which Lively faced criticism regarding her performance and the film’s overall reception. Lively subsequently accused Baldoni and his production company of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

In her formal complaint to the California Civil Rights Department, Lively alleged a hostile work environment and a deliberate effort to damage her reputation. She claimed that Baldoni created an environment where she felt uncomfortable and unsafe, and that he then attempted to discredit her when she spoke out about her experiences.

Baldoni vehemently denied all allegations and launched a counter-suit against Lively. In addition to his legal response, Baldoni released a timeline of events, including texts, emails, and correspondence involving the actors, intimacy coordinators, and producers. He presented this evidence to refute Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and to demonstrate his efforts to create a safe and respectful work environment.

Baldoni further escalated the legal battle by filing a staggering $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging that their coverage of the dispute further damaged his reputation and career. He argued that the newspaper’s reporting presented a biased and inaccurate account of the events, contributing to the negative perception of him and his company.

With the case still unfolding, the Fox Nation special, "Blake vs. Justin: It Didn’t End With Us," delves into the intricacies of the controversy. It features insights from pop culture reporters, legal analysts, and Fox News personalities, providing a comprehensive breakdown of the accusations, the evidence presented, and the potential implications of this high-profile legal battle for the future of Hollywood. The special promises to dissect the complex dynamics between the two actors, analyze the legal arguments on both sides, and explore the broader implications of the case for workplace safety and accountability in the entertainment industry.

The special examines the power dynamics at play in Hollywood and the challenges faced by actors, particularly women, in asserting their rights and demanding respectful treatment on set. It also explores the potential consequences for those accused of misconduct, as well as the impact on their careers and reputations.

"Blake vs. Justin: It Didn’t End With Us" offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at a legal battle that has captivated the public and sparked important conversations about power, consent, and accountability in Hollywood. The special premiered Thursday, March 6, on Fox Nation.

The outcome of this case could potentially set a precedent for future disputes in the entertainment industry and may reshape the landscape of workplace conduct and legal recourse for actors and other industry professionals.

Lauryn Overhultz and Tracy Wright of Fox News contributed to this report.